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(3)
4-6
Nearly Always Perilous Adventures of Archibald Shrew series.
In the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Mr. Popli (serious mouse mayor of Garbage Island) and fellow rodent Archibald Shrew (a reckless inventor) rarely see eye to eye. When their island falls apart, they must weather storms, predators, and misunderstandings to survive. Koehler's first novel is full of funny dialogue, and his black-and-white illustrations help readers understand the scope of this tiny, isolated world.

(4)
K-3
Pebble Plus: Ice Age Animals series.
These volumes provide very basic information about Ice Age animals; Sabertooth and Mammoths end with those creatures' extinction (shrews are still around today). The texts are easy to read but occasionally vague: "Humans settled in the sabertooths' home"; "The babies [shrews] are born blind and naked." Fuzzy digital-looking illustrations play up sharp teeth, long tusks, or small ("tiny") size. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the these Pebble Plus: Ice Age Animals titles: Arctic Shrews, Sabertooth Cats, and Woolly Mammoths.

(4)
K-3
Shredder, a shrew, lives a lonely life in the forest. He sets off to find "something more" and ultimately meets mole Nosey, and their friendship redeems forest life. The story is fairly routine, which figures: this book is part of a series intended to showcase Pixar Animation Studios artists, and its strength lies in Pilcher's lustrously detailed illustrations.

(4)
K-3
Illustrated by
Jerry Smath.
Grandma Lola, a shrew, recounts a childhood story of when cousin Lester came to visit--and when Lola's terrible temper met her match. Lola and Lester duel it out in the tantrum department, which leaves them hungry and exhausted; their incessant sparring may wear out readers, too. Watercolor and pen-and-ink illustrations effectively reflect the volume of the cousins' verbal brawls.

(3)
4-6
Nurk is a meek, homebody shrew. After reading a letter meant for his warrior grandmother and taking courage from her old journal, he becomes caught up in a quest to save a dragonfly prince. Nurk's small-scale adventure is an approachable, accessible coming-of-age tale for animal-fantasy lovers. Thick-lined black-and-white illustrations help set the scene.

(4)
1-3
Stepping Stone series.
Illustrated by
Anne Reas.
When Mole overhears that Buzzard is "having Rabbit and his family for dinner," he fears Rabbit will be Buzzard's main course. Shrew has doubts but agrees to help her friend investigate. Mole's frequent verbal mix-ups are mildly amusing, although young readers will likely find sayings such as "you're all wet" just as perplexing as Mole does. Textured black-and-white illustrations accompany each chapter.

(3)
1-3
Stepping Stone series.
Illustrated by
Anne Reas.
In this genteel comedy about new friends, Mole moves into Shrew's neighborhood when relatives invade his old home. Shrew eventually welcomes him when she finds out that he is a good neighbor, despite his habit of misunderstanding some common sayings. This first chapter book will inspire quiet chuckles, and the detailed pencil drawings evoke tradition and good feelings.

(3)
K-3
In four of Goodall's adventures-without-words, costumed animals have various adventures. Disparities in color and inexact matching up of pictures from the half-page inserts to the full-page ones are a minor distraction in these humorous stories full of charming detail.